Playing from the Tips?

[Bullitt5339]

Yesterday I was paired up with a group that was playing the Pro tees, so for the first 2 holes I played the standard tees, and was outdriving them by more than the difference in the tees. These guys were pretty good golfers compared to me, both were probably low to mid 80's players. So on the 3rd hole, I decided to speed up play, I would just shoot from the Pro tees as well and played the remainder of the round from the tips. The difference in length for the course is just over 700 yards.

I was very surprised, honestly. I actually found that for some reason, my longer 2nd shots seemed to be better than normal. On a few long par 5's, I found that I had to lay up instead of going for the green on my 2nd shot like I typically would (and typically screw up). I shot 3 strokes better than the day before playing from the white tees.

I don't know whether it was better course management, I just had a good day, or if my game somehow was affected by playing with people who were that much better than I am, but I think for my round today, I'm going to hit from the Pro tees again, and see what happens.

[juanrjackson]

  Bullitt5339 said:

Yesterday I was paired up with a group that was playing the Pro tees, so for the first 2 holes I played the standard tees, and was outdriving them by more than the difference in the tees. These guys were pretty good golfers compared to me, both were probably low to mid 80's players. So on the 3rd hole, I decided to speed up play, I would just shoot from the Pro tees as well and played the remainder of the round from the tips. The difference in length for the course is just over 700 yards.

It's probably a mental thing for you. I play from the standard tees & most courses say 15+ handicappers should play from the standard tees. But to be honest, if you enjoy playing from the tips....go for it! This debate is similar to "blades vs SGI clubs", "SC vs Rife putters".....all personal.

[walk18]

Sometimes playing the tips can take trouble out of play.

[right handed phil mickelson]

Yea sometimes it can be a totally different course from the tips. For you maybe the trouble comes out of play from the tips and your yardages get closer to where you're comfortable. Same thing happened for me at my home course. I would play from the back tees (blues, right before the tips), and shoot like +2 or +3 on 9. I've been playing the tips on this course for the last 2 months straight and haven't shot over a 79 on 18. lowest is 73. It just appeals to me more than hitting from the blues. It was weird too because I would tee off from the tips and my drives where landing where they were when I teed off from the blues.....hmm.....

[DavidFehertysBike]

  walk18 said:

Sometimes playing the tips can take trouble out of play.

Or bring it in. I think the trade offs are about even, there. Playing from the back definatly will improve your shortgame over time, though.

[jlh1508]

so how should one decide when they are ready to play from the tips?

[DavidFehertysBike]

  jlh1508 said:

so how should one decide when they are ready to play from the tips?

When the shortgame is ready. If you get out of greenside trouble

at least half of the time, lack of distance or inconsistant ballstriking doesnt matter as much.

[Jay-Bird]

  Bullitt5339 said:

... or if my game somehow was affected by playing with people who were that much better than I am...

This probably happened.

  jlh1508 said:

so how should one decide when they are ready to play from the tips?

Depends on the course, but generally you

should play the tips if you're low single digit, or scratch or better.

[Bullitt5339]

Well, I went out and played again this morning by myself and only shot 1 stroke worse than I did yesterday playing with a group. The statement about taking trouble out seems to fit this course. Typically, the fairway bunkers are right in trouble range from the standard tees, and positioned just right, so that have worry about staying out of them. Playing from the tips, I can just swing away, they aren't in range anymore. I also find myself hitting more full wedge shots instead of having to take 3/4 and 1/2 wedges, which I'm not really great at.

[WUTiger]

My brother and I have played several times at an extremely hilly course in central Missouri called Eagle Knoll (Golf Digest award winner a couple of years back). The Whites are 6139 yds., and the Blues 6670 yds. Due to some quirks in the layout, I prefer the Blues despite my HDCP.

The course has three drop-shot par 3s across the water, two of which play 130 yds. or less. With the 50-foot drops, I'd rather hit a full 8-iron from 155 yds. Blue tees than feather a pitching wedge across the water and leave it short. Two of the long par 4s give you a much more elevated tee and better view of the landing area from the Blues. So, I shoot about the same from Blues as the Whites.

Most courses, the shorter tees give me an edge. But on this course, I like the Blues better.

[Chief Broom]

  Bullitt5339 said:

The statement about taking trouble out seems to fit this course. Typically, the fairway bunkers are right in trouble range from the standard tees, and positioned just right, so that have worry about staying out of them. Playing from the tips, I can just swing away, they aren't in range anymore. I also find myself hitting more full wedge shots instead of having to take 3/4 and 1/2 wedges, which I'm not really great at.

What's the yardages for the different tees at this course?

[Bullitt5339]

7001 from the tips
6319 from standard

[deronsizemore]

I'll typically play as well or better from the longer tees than I will from shorter tees. Like someone else mentioned, the back tees take trouble out of play on a lot of occasions. On a shorter course, a hazard could be reachable or drivable (just temping you), or you could hit through fairways more frequently leaving you bad lies, etc. It all comes down to me hitting 3 wood off the tee but I'm stubborn.

[juanrjackson]

  walk18 said:

Sometimes playing the tips can take trouble out of play.

True, but playing from the tips will normally require hitting a longer iron on your approach shot. For example...using a 6 iron instead of an 8 iron.

To me, that is the main difference when hitting from the tips....you have be confident and good at hitting your long irons or hybrids into the green.

[Gareth]

  Bullitt5339 said:

Yesterday I was paired up with a group that was playing the Pro tees, so for the first 2 holes I played the standard tees, and was outdriving them by more than the difference in the tees. These guys were pretty good golfers compared to me, both were probably low to mid 80's players. So on the 3rd hole, I decided to speed up play, I would just shoot from the Pro tees as well and played the remainder of the round from the tips. The difference in length for the course is just over 700 yards.

Sometimes it is Psychological. Going to the tips and understanding your own game, you played with a slightly more carefree attitude. Not as much pressure. This can have the opposite affect. But, looking at your Cap, the players with you wouldn't have expected you to ping everything perfectly, thus you subconsciously knew that?

The fact you played well, and you enjoyed it, however you look at it, it's is a good round of golf. Congratulations!

[Bullitt5339]

Well, I had to start my handicap over again after my computer crashed, and I lost all my cards, which coincidentally happened right after I started playing again after back surgery. So while my handicap is a 26 right now, I'm actually playing to around a 18-19 at this time, and getting my swing back more everyday, which I'm extremely happy about. Now if I could just learn how to chip and putt, I'd be OK, and could get way down there again.

It's honestly fun to watch these 108-115's start dropping off, and the cap go down after every round. You wouldn't believe how hard I've been working on my game in the past month. Practicing 3 times a week and playing 2-3 times a week. A couple more lessons and some more practice and I should be back down to where I was before surgery (around a 12).

[Gareth]

  Bullitt5339 said:

Well, I had to start my handicap over again after my computer crashed, and I lost all my cards, which coincidentally happened right after I started playing again after back surgery. So while my handicap is a 26 right now, I'm actually playing to around a 18-19 at this time, and getting my swing back more everyday, which I'm extremely happy about. Now if I could just learn how to chip and putt, I'd be OK, and could get way down there again.

After back surgery you are doing well! Keep it up! you obviously practice a lot, so you will reap the rewards, especially now we have the new season starting with better conditions on the course.

Enjoy Gareth

[clubchamp]

I played a tourney last year the championship flight played the tips on a course I play a lot and usually the from the blues. I actually thought that from the tee the course was a lot of easier because the landing areas were much larger from the tips.